Acey Shaw

Sunday, October 23, 2011

It's been since July since I've updated the blog and I've been trying to play Dr. Phil on why it's taken me so long to do an update? All I could come up with is that blogging brings me back to reality, even though I don't always blog all the details that's going on with my family, blogging makes me stop and reflect on how much my family has changed in these past 9 months. Sometimes it's easier to think that everything is just peachy and it's not always easy to face reality. A lot has changed since my last blog Acey is home and we are finally back to some sort of normalcy. Acey did at home rehab then back to out patient rehab and at this time he is only doing rehab on his own. He's had two emergency room visits and and two different feeding tubes put in. The last feeding tube was done at the University of Utah and Acey has just thrived since, gaining 6lbs!! Acey is still trying to walk with help with a few people and a walker, and he is now able to stand holding on to the counter by himself, which is pretty amazing to see. All in all Acey is still the same, he refuses to miss a ball game, and this week will be traveling to Lewiston to watch our daughter in the State Volleyball tournament. October 31st Acey will be going back to coaching his basketball team, yes he is still going to coach. It would take a lot more then just a brain and spinal cord injury to prevent him from coaching his team. Acey loves to coach and loves the game but these particular girls he loves to be around and would love to see them repeat. Of course he will have help from my Dad again this year, and also his Uncle Gene who is an amazing coach is coming out of retirement to help out. So, if you think Acey is just sitting home feeling sorry for himself, with not much to do, think again.

Friday, July 8, 2011

JUST JOKING ACEY IS NOT HOME! This is the story of our life. We get our hopes up thinking that we are going to have him home and then something always happens. Which isn't always a bad thing, we are very grateful for all the rehab he can get. The night before we were to come home for good they informed us that Acey still had some money left for rehab, so he stayed to get all the help he can. Acey is improving so much each day. He is walking with a walker and with one person holding him up which is so amazing. He walked about 170 feet yesterday! Plus he is eating so well! He is actually eating real food, or at least food that looks like food. So now they are thinking that we will be home this coming Wednesday, but who really knows. It will just be a surprise to us all when we finally are home to stay. But here is a funny story that I hope you all enjoy: We had to best day ever on the first of July when we thought Acey was going to be home to stay. After the party at the park we were on our way home when Acey asked me to stop and get two candy bars a Hershey's chocolate bar and Reese's peanut butter cups, so I stopped on got them for him. Later we were home just lying around and he said, "Hon where are the candy bars?" I go get them and break off a tiny little piece any put it in his mouth and he is just loving it. Now he is not suppose to have anything but soft foods. So we are already pushing it. So then he says, "Can you go get me some ice?" so, like a wonderful spouse that I am I put the candy bars above his head on the couch and I go into the kitchen to get the ice. All of sudden everyone is screaming JALYNJALYN!! I go running in there and Acey grabs the candy bar pretends like he is going to give his nephew a piece and then shoves the whole thing in his mouth. So, by the time I got in there Acey's has this huge smile on his face plus he laughing (which his laugh is pretty funny now since he's been sick it's completely different) because he knows I would never let him have that much. So I said, "WHAT THE HECK ARE YOU DOING?!!!!!" And he just laughed and laughed. Later I said here's your ice. He says, I didn't want the ice I was just trying to get you away so I could eat the candy bar!! ARE YOU KIDDING ME!!!!! You could of choked, aspirated. He didn't care all that was on his mind was the stinking candy bar and how good it was going to taste. Pretty funny now but at the time I wanted to choke him!!

Thursday, June 30, 2011

Acey is coming home on Friday yep tomorrow!!! We are going to have a huge party for him. It's going to be a potluck at the Dietrich Park at noon. We will have some water activities for the kids and for some of the adults if they would like to join in, so bring your swim suit and towel. It's going to be so much fun to see him home. I know that he can't wait to see all of you, so I hope that you all can make it.

Friday, June 24, 2011

MORE GREAT NEWS!!!! The trach is no more!!!! Acey passed his swallow test just enough to get that stinkin trach out!! He still needs to be careful of course but things are looking good. Better yet Acey can now have WATER!!! Ace and I were trying to remember the last time he had water and it's been months. We are one more step closer to have him home with us. It's amazing, the hole where his trach was will close on it's own within two days, and yes I took pictures it's pretty cool. Once that is sealed up he'll be able to talk even better. The plan now is to have him home next Friday, which seems so unreal to us. Stay posted to know when we have to homecoming party. I hate to plan to early afraid I'll jinx it. Life just keeps on getting better!!

Wednesday, June 22, 2011

Father's day was for sure a day to remember. The kids and I went to get Acey and to take him out of the Hospital for a few hours. We ended up going home to Dietrich to surprise his Dad for Father's day. We got into his parents home right before they got home from church and put a sign on Acey that said, "HAPPY FATHER'S DAY". It was priceless to see their faces when they opened the door and saw Acey in their living room. Then it was time for dinner and he wanted to eat with the family at the table, the only problem with that was there is one step up to the kitchen, so he wouldn't be able to use his power chair. So his Dad and brother in-laws grabbed his arms and Acey was able to walk up the step and into the Kitchen. It was so fun the whole day just watching him with the biggest smile on his face. That was the first time in 4 months that he was out of the hospital and able to do something that he wanted to do. We then went around and saw the farm and all the crops. It was absolutely the best day ever! Today Acey will be having another swallow test to see if his throat is strong enough to take out his trach. Keep your fingers crossed, we are so hoping to get that stinkin trach out. If he does pass he will get to out tomorrow. We have a projected coming home date which is July 1st. We will be having a huge party so more details to come and everyone is invited!!!! Everyday he gets stronger and we can not wait to have him home!!

Wednesday, June 15, 2011

Hey there everyone! Acey is doing so good. He had a few rough days to where he was just so tired and couldn't move very well and just completely exhausted. Well, yesterday we found out what was causing it, they were giving him sleeping pills when he didn't need them!! So he is now back on track. He did aspirate twice in the last two days but his lungs are sounding good. He still has his trach in and I think it will stay in for awhile longer to protect his airway especially now that he's been throwing up. But we have some really great news, Acey can pretty much sit up with very little assistants and lie down with very little assistants. Plus he sat on the Commode for the first time in probably two months with no assistants for twenty minutes! That right there is really big. We are so excited to see progress. We still don't know when he will be home, but as long as he is gaining ground we are thrilled to be able to keep in Rehab.

Tuesday, June 7, 2011

LiFEiSGReat!!! Acey is doing amazing, each day he gets a little stronger. We are so excited to say that after 88 days at the University Hospital in Utah Acey was well enough to be transferred to Twin Falls Idaho hospital. He is in the Rehab facility and we hope to have him home for good in a few weeks. Yesterday they down sized his trach, and it could possibly be out in a few days. He is eating a little on his own, our goal is 5-10 bites each meal, and a bite is 1/4 of a teaspoon. We are so excited to be closer to our family and friends, but do miss our new found family at the U. They are all amazing people with the biggest hearts, we love you guys and miss you, and thank you for taking such great care of us!